We Say Goodbye

Students from Gardnerville, Nevada, 29 Palms, Caliornia, and Jacksonville, South Carolina travel to say goodbye to Richard. St. Gall's Catholic Church is standing room only as each heart says goodbye to our precious son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend. A young Priest from Norte Dame celebrates the Mass of Christian Burial. Richard's dad, Moe, struggles to read the words from the Book of Wisdom, searching for some solice, some understanding, some confort. Ricahrd's mother Connie is the strong one now, holding her husband up, as his voice breaks, and his sorrow wells up from deep inside. A good friend delivers the eulogy of a happy and beloved young man. Nothing make sense here, but the ritual is somehow healing. The snow began to gently fall upon us as his casket was placed in the hearse. An unending stream of headlights wind their way along the two lane route to the Carson City cemetary. We gather at the gravesite. A short ritual as we say our last farewell. Students pass by, single file, placing flowers on his casket. Like deer in headlights, no one gets it. No one wants to get it. We just want our RIchard.